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NJ to target infant mortality after death of 9-day-old Associated Press Newswires
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Andrew and Phyllis Rabinowitz were worried last July when their newborn daughter didn't seem OK after coming home following five days in neonatal intensive care. "She had an audible wheeze," Andrew Rabinowitz said. Doctors told the Short Hills family not to worry. One said nothing was wrong. Two said Rebecca Rabinowitz simply had a cold. Rebecca died on July 21, and her parents later learned she had a common viral infection. "Had her symptoms been treated, she may still be here today," Andrew Rabinowitz said. Rebecca wasn't seen by a pediatric emergency physician, a specialist trained to care for children who need immediate medical help for serious and life-threatening problems. "Being seen by the right doctor would have made all the difference in the world," Andrew Rabinowitz said. Amid such worries and concern about the nation's infant mortality rate, New Jersey lawmakers will consider legislation to require the state's 10 children's hospitals to have a pediatric emergency physician constantly on duty in emergency departments. "Any parent will tell you that one infant death is one too many," said Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, the bill's sponsor. A hearing hasn't been scheduled but will be soon, Codey said. In addition, Assembly Senate committees meet Monday and Thursday this week to consider: -- Giving pet owners the right to sue for pain and suffering if a pet gets sick or dies from contaminated pet food. -- Combating childhood obesity and asthma. -- Increasing awareness and bolstering programs for autism. -- Permitting adopted individuals to access their original birth certificate. -- Giving the state authority to restrict Internet access by convicted sex offenders and other measures to restrict sex offenders. -- Revamping the oft-criticized legislative ethics committee. New Jersey Hospital Association spokesman Ron Czjakowski said they're examining Codey's pediatric emergency bill. "The bill makes good sense, but we have some initial concerns about being able to recruit and retain enough of these specialists," he said. "We're continuing to look into the impact of the bill." New Jersey's proposal requiring a 24-hour pediatric emergency physician could be unique. Debbie Linchesky of the American Academy of Pediatrics said 29 states have laws providing for pediatric input into emergency services for children. She said those laws require guidelines for staffing and other issues. "The laws themselves generally do not specify what these guidelines should be," she said. Codey said he also plans to convene an expert panel this summer to study infant mortality. According to federal statistics, New Jersey has 5.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, the ninth-lowest rate in the nation. But Codey cited World Health Organization statistics that placed the United States 36th among countries in infant mortality, with 7 deaths per 1,000 live births. The leading places -- Singapore, Swedenand Hong Kong -- have about two to three deaths per 1,000 live births. "When babies in the United States are twice as likely to die than those in many other developed countries, clearly we need to do more," Codey said. "The first step is making sure that hospitals have the type of specialized care on hand to deal with conditions that are unique to newborns and infants." After Rebecca's death, the Rabinowitzes formed the R Baby Foundation to organize and fund efforts to improve medical care for infants. "We're really hoping we can make a difference through one family's tragedy, which was ours, unfortunately," Andrew Rabinowitz said. Used with permission of The Associated Press Copyright © 2007. All rights reserved. |
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